Guitar Pickup Types: Single Coil, Humbucker & P-90 Guide

# Guitar Pickup Types Guide: Single Coil, Humbucker, P-90, and More

When it comes to guitar pickups, the type you choose can greatly impact the sound and character of your instrument. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the different types of pickups available, including single coil, humbucker, P-90, and active pickups.

What Determines the Sound of Your Guitar?

The pickup is a magnetic sensor that converts string vibration into an electrical signal. Its design is the single biggest determinant of your guitar's fundamental character. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right pickup for your needs.

Single Coil Pickups

Single coil pickups are one of the most popular types of pickups, found in many iconic guitars such as the Stratocaster and Telecaster. They consist of a single coil of wire wrapped around magnetic pole pieces.

Sound: Bright, clear, articulate, with pronounced high-frequency content. The 'sparkle' and 'quack' of the Strat sound is a hallmark of single coil pickups.

Trade-off: Susceptible to electromagnetic interference, picking up hum from lighting and electrical sources. Manageable but inherent to the design.

Best for: Country, surf, indie, contemporary live performance (the shimmer tone), fingerpicking.

Humbucker Pickups

Humbucker pickups are designed to cancel out hum and noise, making them a popular choice for rock and hard live performance. They consist of two coils wired out of phase to cancel hum (hence the name).

Sound: Thick, warm, high-output, with less treble and more midrange. Richer harmonics in distorted tones.

Trade-off: Less clarity in the high-frequency range. Can get muddy with excess bass.

Best for: Rock, hard live performance, jazz, bluesy leads, anything requiring warmth and power.

P-90 Pickups

P-90 pickups are a type of single coil pickup that offers a unique sound that's both raw and punchy. They have a wider, flatter design than standard single coils.

Sound: Raw, punchy, gritty, with more character than either extreme.

Best for: Blues, roots rock, alternative, players who want single-coil energy with more girth.

Active Pickups

Active pickups are designed to provide a high output signal, with an onboard preamp that requires a battery. They're commonly used in metal music.

Sound: Very precise, tight bass response, high gain friendly. Less dynamic than passive pickups.

Which Pickup Pairs Best with PGL Gear?

All of our strings (both nickel electric and phosphor bronze acoustic) are designed for passive magnetic pickup systems. The PGL GP-HGD-01 works beautifully with single coils and humbuckers — adjust the Gain control based on the pickup's output level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the difference between single coil and humbucker pickups? A: Single coil pickups are more prone to hum and noise, while humbucker pickups are designed to cancel out hum and noise.

Q: Which pickup type is best for metal music? A: Active pickups are commonly used in metal music due to their high output signal and precise tone.

Q: Can I use any type of pickup with any type of string? A: No, some pickups are designed to work with specific types of strings. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations before pairing a pickup with a string.

Related Reading

• [Guitar Pickup Selector Guide](/knowledge-hub/guitar-pickup-selector-guide)
• [Guitar Electronics Troubleshooting](/knowledge-hub/guitar-electronics-troubleshooting)

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